Is Perfectionism Holding You Back?

Are you perfect? If so, you're not alone. Many people suffer from this trait. Society, media, and advertising often project unrealistic standards of existence. Instead of letting perfectionism keep you from being your best self, accept it as a normal trait and don't criticize yourself for it. Think about your core reasons for being a perfectionist and work towards accepting imperfections. You may find that perfectionism does not serve you in the long run.

Perfectionists believe that perfection is synonymous with high achievement and quality. They constantly aim for perfection, and consider anything less than perfect unacceptable. A perfectionist will focus on certain areas of his or her life and won't let go until it meets those standards. They'll constantly review their work, putting off starting a project until it meets their standards. They'll be critical of others' work if it's not perfect - and this is exhausting!

Despite its seemingly positive consequences, perfectionism can actually limit your productivity and relationships. People who live with high standards can experience depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. By understanding these consequences, you can begin to take steps toward making a change. By identifying your own self-talk, you'll be able to change your unconscious thoughts and make positive changes. You may even be surprised to discover that perfectionism can actually hold you back!

Often, perfectionism prevents us from reaching our full potential. We think our efforts are better because we're perfect, but the fact is, it costs us our happiness and relationships. It's essential to acknowledge that some things are worth putting all your energy into, while others don't need our perfectionism. So, instead of beating yourself up, ask yourself, "What's the worst that can happen?"

It's easy to blame others for our perfectionism. It's probably rooted in an event that happened when we were young. We may have been told by our caregivers that we couldn't do something right or that we were destined to mess up. Whatever the case, it's worth remembering that we're all human and we all make mistakes, so we should embrace our failures as a learning opportunity.

A perfectionism-based attitude prevents us from setting goals. Perfectionists set impossible standards for themselves and think that anything less than perfect is failure. As a result, they fail to learn from mistakes, thus preventing themselves from being able to learn from their experiences. The fear of failure is so strong that they often avoid starting anything until they're perfect. Instead of starting a project, they stay stuck waiting until they've completed it perfectly.

If you're a sportsperson, perfectionism can have a negative impact on your confidence. It can lead to a self-defeating, negative mindset. The limiting beliefs associated with perfectionism prevent an athlete from reaching his or her potential. As an athlete, perfectionism can even impede performance in sports. So what can you do to overcome your perfectionism? Keep reading to learn how to live a life of confidence, health, and success.